Why Every Physician Should Learn to Read a Contract — Even If You Love Your Job

You might love your job, your patients, and your team. You might even be one of the lucky few who landed a dream position straight out of training. But here’s the truth: if you're a practicing physician and you haven’t read your employment contract—or worse, don’t understand it—you’re putting your financial future and professional autonomy at risk.

This isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being prepared.

Why Contracts Matter More Than You Think

Dr. Glenn Loomis, a physician leader with years of experience in contract review, put it plainly: "A contract is meant to be negotiated and then put in a drawer and never seen again—until there's a problem. And that’s exactly when you’ll wish you had read every word.”

Contracts aren’t just about salary and vacation time. They’re about exit clauses, non-competes, call expectations, and even who owns your patient relationships if you leave.

The Trap of Trust

Many physicians assume that because they trust their employer, or because a job sounds great during the interview, they don’t need to push back on their contract. But as attorney Michael Johnson explains, this mindset can be dangerous: “A lot of physicians take this approach of, ‘This is just the standard,’ but the standard is not working out for physicians right now.”

Red Flags You Might Be Overlooking

Even if you’re happy in your role, common contract clauses can limit your options and cost you thousands. Here are a few examples:

• No termination without cause: Some contracts prohibit physicians from leaving unless the employer agrees—sometimes for up to three years.
• Non-competes: You might be legally barred from practicing within a 10–20 mile radius, even if you built your entire practice in that community.
• Non-solicit clauses: In some cases, you can’t even accept patients who follow you, even if they found you on their own.
• Signing bonus clawbacks: If you leave early, you might owe your entire bonus back—sometimes with interest.

Why This Matters—Even If You Stay Forever

Contracts aren’t just for people who plan to leave. They're leverage for renegotiation. They define your responsibilities and protect your rights. If your job changes — more call, less admin support, shifting compensation — your contract may be your only tool to push back.

Johnson encourages all physicians to renegotiate regularly. “If more folks in jobs push harder... it’s going to open up more space for residents and fellows to push as well.”

What You Can Do Today

• Pull out your contract — even if you’ve been at your job for years.
• Find a healthcare-specific attorney— Offcall can help with this. We have a vast network of physician attorneys and are happy to assist. Email us at (contact@offcall.com).
• Ask questions about vague language, termination rights, and bonus clauses.
• Document any promises from interviews or leadership. If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist.

Understanding your contract isn’t about distrusting your employer — it’s about respecting yourself. You worked too hard to give away your autonomy on a technicality. And if you think legalese isn’t your thing? Johnson reminds us: “Physicians are brilliant. If you get the right information in front of them, they’ll run with it.”